A Hardware Idea, Subsequent Software Nightmare
by Gareth Hewes · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 01/21/2009 (1:18 pm) · 2 replies
This is as hardcore tech as the creative side of games gets.
Okay, so I have an idea. I have not been around much lately because I have been obsessively studying for school (architecture) and my newest hobby, electronics engineering. Having played around with it, I found the coolest thing you could incorporate with Torque. Essentially, it comes down to being Torque-enabled VR gaming, and for a (relatively) decent price.
I was thinking that if I could hook up an accelerometer to a headgear and a glove, along with flex sensors for fingers (or, maybe to simplify, to the trigger finger and one for the other three), you could get a similar functionality as the arcade games like Police 911. Additionally, hook up a similar thing as a Wii Nunchuk controller in the other hand for movement, and to really make things sweet, an LCD display in the headset, and then you're cooking with fire.
Can you imagine the kinds of multiplayer matchups you could have with friends?
The downside is the implementation. While it would be awesome to integrate that, there would be many problems.
First of all, the connection of the controller to the computer would be fairly straightforward, but code would need to be written to connect the serial input of the microprocessor (I was thinking about using an Arduino) to the processing of the Torque Engine, then from there, to use that input to command the program (z value of the head accelerometer controls the character's crouch, the angle of the hand accelerometer controls the angle of the gunshots and the positioning of the gun, etc.).
Also problematic is the display on the lcd headset screens, whether that would even be possible without crazy programming over the USB connection I don't know, or if you would have to have some kind of crazy dual-monitor setup (also probably a pain to set up).
In any case, it's a cool idea in my head. If anyone has any ideas or thinks they'd be up to the task of wrestling with the source to make this idea a reality, let me know. Until then, have a good Torquein' time!
P.S. If this is in the wrong section, I apologize. I figured it fit best here because this is still all entirely theoretical.
Okay, so I have an idea. I have not been around much lately because I have been obsessively studying for school (architecture) and my newest hobby, electronics engineering. Having played around with it, I found the coolest thing you could incorporate with Torque. Essentially, it comes down to being Torque-enabled VR gaming, and for a (relatively) decent price.
I was thinking that if I could hook up an accelerometer to a headgear and a glove, along with flex sensors for fingers (or, maybe to simplify, to the trigger finger and one for the other three), you could get a similar functionality as the arcade games like Police 911. Additionally, hook up a similar thing as a Wii Nunchuk controller in the other hand for movement, and to really make things sweet, an LCD display in the headset, and then you're cooking with fire.
Can you imagine the kinds of multiplayer matchups you could have with friends?
The downside is the implementation. While it would be awesome to integrate that, there would be many problems.
First of all, the connection of the controller to the computer would be fairly straightforward, but code would need to be written to connect the serial input of the microprocessor (I was thinking about using an Arduino) to the processing of the Torque Engine, then from there, to use that input to command the program (z value of the head accelerometer controls the character's crouch, the angle of the hand accelerometer controls the angle of the gunshots and the positioning of the gun, etc.).
Also problematic is the display on the lcd headset screens, whether that would even be possible without crazy programming over the USB connection I don't know, or if you would have to have some kind of crazy dual-monitor setup (also probably a pain to set up).
In any case, it's a cool idea in my head. If anyone has any ideas or thinks they'd be up to the task of wrestling with the source to make this idea a reality, let me know. Until then, have a good Torquein' time!
P.S. If this is in the wrong section, I apologize. I figured it fit best here because this is still all entirely theoretical.
#2
Maybe that's the best bet, to hack existing hardware (keyboards, mouses, etc.) and hook THOSE up to the microprocessor because then all of the keystrokes, etc. would be already working. As you said, the keyboard buffer may be a good way to go as well.
As far as the VGA screen goes, that will pretty much be a "do it as we go along" type thing, because cost is not an issue for some of the cheaper stuff (most of the accelerometers, flex sensors, etc. are 'relatively' inexpensive). It's inspiring to hear that others have attempted this, it goes to show that it can be done. Then again, anything can be done as long as one is willing to make the tough climb to achieve it.
Any more thoughts on the subject are welcome and appreciated!
01/22/2009 (12:20 pm)
Now that you mention it, it seems like there are quite a few little things that could speed the process along. If one were to break down a gyro mouse, it could easily enough be adapted to be controlled like a VR headset (unless you wanted to tape the whole thing to your head!).Maybe that's the best bet, to hack existing hardware (keyboards, mouses, etc.) and hook THOSE up to the microprocessor because then all of the keystrokes, etc. would be already working. As you said, the keyboard buffer may be a good way to go as well.
As far as the VGA screen goes, that will pretty much be a "do it as we go along" type thing, because cost is not an issue for some of the cheaper stuff (most of the accelerometers, flex sensors, etc. are 'relatively' inexpensive). It's inspiring to hear that others have attempted this, it goes to show that it can be done. Then again, anything can be done as long as one is willing to make the tough climb to achieve it.
Any more thoughts on the subject are welcome and appreciated!
Torque 3D Owner Caylo Gypsyblood
EDIT:
He also interfaced a common keyboard controller chip, (so his robot could 'type' into the computer KEY input buffer). So even that is doable. Most all the info he used was off the net.
EDIT: He say he never got the keyboard to work, but fake it from the USB...